Rotatable receptacle assembly



y 1952 E. H. BODDY 2,605,160

ROTATABLE RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY 7 Filed Aug. 13, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Inventor: Edwin H. Bodd g His Ac'trne g July 29, 1952 E. H. BODDY ROTATABLE RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 15, 1947 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Inventor: Edwin H. Bodd y Hi5 Attorney.

Patented July 29, 1952 ROTATABLE RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY Edwin H. Boddy, Erie. Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application August 13, 1947, Serial No. 768,451 I 12 Claims. (01. 312-305) My inventionrelates to apparatus for rotatably mounting article-holding elements and more particularly to apparatus for rotatably mounting receptacles. 7

To increase theaccessibility of the contents of a cabinet it is-sometimes desirable to provide supporting surfacesof the rotatable type for articles stored within the; cabinet. For example, in refrigerators havinggenerally round interiors several [shelves are. sometimes provided for rotation about a central shaft. It is also desirable in refrigerators to provide covered receptacles in order-to maintain high humidity conditions for the storage of certain foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Wl 1 ere a rotatable shelf assembly is used-itis convenient to provide a suitable arrangement for 'rotatably mounting such receptacles in order that accessto any desired receptacle may-be secured, and it is desirable to further'provide an arrangement for facilitating the ready removal of the receptacles from and their attachment to' the assembly.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provid an improved arrangement for rotatably mounting receptacles.

It is another object of my invention to provide a rotatable receptacle mounting assembly including an improved arrangement for facilitating the reference may behad to the accompanying drawings in which Fig.1 is a sectional elevation View of a portion of a refrigerator cabinet embodying my;invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view partly broken away taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partly broken away showing details of the mounting arrangement for the receptacles; Fig. 4 is a plan view partly broken away showin additional details; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the receptacles.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown a refrigerator cabinet I including an outer shell 2 and an inner liner 3, the space therebetween being filled with a suitable heat insulating material 4. The space between the shell and the liner in the area of the door opening inthc cabinet 2 is closed by a heat insulating breaker strip 5, and the door opening is closed by a door 6.

A rotatable assembly is provided within the cabinet for accommodating articles I placed within the cabinet and for facilitating the movement of th desired articles to an .accessible position adjacent the door opening. The assembly includes a rotatable shaft 1 which is centrally mounted in a vertical pos'itionjwithin the cabinet, a plurality of receptacles 8, and one or more shelves 9.v The receptacles 8 maybe used, for example, for the storage of foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Each of the receptacles is supported at two points, one point being located in the vicinity of the-shaft I and the other point being remotefrom the shaft. The support for the inner end of each of the receptacles is provided by a disk"!!! which is secured to th shaft for rotation therewith. In order to provide a second or outer point of support remote from the shaft a plurality of radially extending arms II are secured to the shaft by screws l2 or any other suitable fastening devices. As more clearly shown inFig. 5, each of the arms II includes a vertical or depending portion l3- and a second portion l4 fitting over the top of the portion l3 and including horizontal flanges l5 extending outwardly therefrom. An annular member or ring I6 is secured to the arms II and, in the assembled position, the outer ends of the food storage receptaclesare supported from the ring l6.

In order to support the receptacles during entry into or withdrawal from the cabinet a rack or slide I! is positioned within the cabinet adjacent the door opening. One end of the slide rests on the bottom of the inner liner 3 and the other end is supported on a portion of the breaker strip 5. The rack is secured to the cabinet by screws [8 or other suitable fastening devices passing through the breaker strip.

In order to reduce the circulation of air and thereby to provide high humidity conditions within the food storage receptaclesa cover I9 is provided for each of the receptacles. The covers are preferably made of glass or other transparent material so as to facilitate visual inspection of the contents ofthe receptacle. The covers are supported on the horizontalflanges I5 of the arms I l and on a horizontal portion 20 1of the ring l6.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the mounting structure includes a stationary vertical rod 2l, .which is provided for fixing the assembly in position within the cabinet. The lower endofithe rod 2| is threaded, and a nut 22 is provided for engagement therewith to secure the rod to a downwardly opening cupped member 23. The member 23 is secured to a raised portion 24 of the inner liner 3 by bolts 25 and nuts 26 or other suitable fastening devices. The rotatable shaft I is arranged concentric with the stationary rod 21 and ball bearings 21 are provided to facilitate the free rotation of the shaft 1 and of the assembly about the rod 21. A similar arrangement (not shown) is provided for mounting the upper end of the assembly within the cabinet. The disk is secured to the rotatable shaft 7 by one or more screws 28 or other suitable fastening devices. I

As shown more clearly in Fig. 4, in the form illustrated, three radially extending arms H are provided, the arms being spaced approximately 120 degrees apart to provide three sectors of equal 1 size. Each of the arms is provided at its inner end with bent portions 29 which are adapted to fit against two sides of the hexagonal shaped shaft 1. A plate 30, which is provided with a hexagonal shaped opening for fitting about the shaft I, iswelded or otherwise secured to the arms I I. In addition to providing further support for the arms H,'the plate 3|] also assists in maintaining the covers [9 in position. The plate 3!! extends over a portion of each of the covers adjacent theshaft and prevents movement of the inner edge of the cover in an upward direction. Should a receptacle tilt when partially withdrawn, so that its inner edgecomes in contact with its corresponding. cover, the cover is restrained againstmovementby the plate 30 and any tendency of the receptacle to slide accidentally from the cabinet is minimized.

Referring again to Fig. 3, one of the food storage receptacles is shown in solid lines in its assembled position. In this position the inner end of the receptacle adjacent the shaft 1 is supported by the disk ill. The outer end of the receptacle is supported at its upper edge by the ring l5. As shown also in Fig. 6, the upper edge of the receptacle is curved inwardly as indicated at 3! and downwardly as indicated at 32 in order to facilitate the engagement of the receptacle with the ring l6, A handle for withdrawing the food storage receptacle from its assembled position in the cabinet is provided by extending a portion of the.r ceptacle'downwardly as indicated at 33 in spacedrelationto a side 34- of the receptacle to form a recess 35. The handle and the ring engaging portion of the receptacle may both be formed,- if desired. by extending the upper edge of; the receptacle first downwardly as indicated at; 33 then upwardly and inwardly to form the portions 3| and 32 and finally extending the edge downwardly again for securing by rivets 3B or other suitable fastening devices.

Thus far the relation of the various parts in the assembled position of the receptacles has been described in detail. However, to obtain full utility from anarrangement of this nature it is desirable to provide a construction which facilitates the assembly of the receptacles on the rotatable structure and a withdrawal of the receptacles therefrom. Because of the size of the receptacles and particularly their depth it is possible to store a large arii 'ount of food within them and the total weightfmay; therefore, be such that the receptacles are difficult to place manually in their assembled positions adjacent the central shaft. I

have-therefore, provided a construction wherein Qa receptacle may be easily placed in a supported position adjacent the access opening of the refrigerator and is supported while it is moved to its assembled position. Furthermore, this movement of the receptacle into its supported position is easily accomplished by the user by sliding the receptacle along a supporting surface, the necessary lift being accomplished by a camming action. Conversely, in removing the receptacle from its assembled position the user is only required to pull on the receptacle and imparta sliding motion thereto, By my construction when thereceptacle is thus slid from its position onrthe rotatable assembly it immediately passes to a surface which supports the weight of the receptacle and its contents during withdrawal from the cabinet.

i In ,orderto facilitate the assembly of the food storagerec'eptacles in supported position the periphery of the disk I!) is beveled at 31 to provide an inclined'surface curving downwardly and outwardly atabout a 45 degree angle. For further facilitating this assembly the periphery of the ring I6 is also inclined outwardly and downwardly at about a 45 degree angle-as indicated at 38. When it is desired to slide a food storage receptacle outwardly in order to obtainaccessto the contents thereof, the receptacle is first lifted by gripping the handle to disengage the portion 32 from the rin it and the receptacle is then drawn outwardly through thedoor' opening, the desired receptacle having, of course,"been' previously rotated into position adjacent the door opening. As the'rece'p'tacle is withdrawn the lower inner edge reaches the beveled portion?! of the disk 10 and slides downwardly thereon until the receptacle is supported on the slide H, as shown by the dotted lines 3. 'The weight of the receptacle and its contents istlien carried by the slide as the receptacle is withdrawn from the cabinet. When 'thereceptacleistofbe returned to its assembled position it is first rested on the slide H and then moved inwardly along the slide until the lower inner edge comes in contact with the beveledportion 31 of the disk 10. As the receptacle 'moves'along the inclmed surface 3! it is raised'from the slide I 1. As the inward movement of the receptacle continues theportion 32 comes in contact with the inclined surface 38 of the ring I6 and the outer portion of the receptacle is raised from the slide as the portion 32 moves upwardly along this inclined surface 38. Ultimately the portion 32 passes over the top edge of the ring I6 into its engaged position as shown by the solid lines in Fig. 3. The proper'positioning of the receptacle withrespect to the assembly is also facilitated by the vertical portions l3 of the arms H. These portions l3 extend downwardly to act as separators between adjacent receptacles and they act as guides in directing the receptacle into its proper position in -the' assembly. Since the receptacle, when partially or completely filled, may be quite heavy, difficulty would be encountered by the user in placing it directly in the supported position. The provision of the rack and the inclined surfaces eliminates the necessity of manually supporting the weight of the receptacle during the sliding movement to and from its supported position on the rotatable assembly. Moreover, the guides I3 positively direct the receptacle into position and relieve the user of the necessity of manually shifting the receptacle to'it s exact radial position.

While I have disclosed a' specific embodiment of my invention as applied to 'a household refrigerator other applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. I do not, therefore, desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction illustrated and-I'intend .by the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A receptacle and mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising a mounting structure, a support on said structure for slidably supporting the bottom of the receptacle along one edge thereof, a second support on said structure for engaging an upper edge of the receptacle diagonally opposite said first-mentioned edge at a point remote from said first support, and means for rendering said supports rotatable relative to the cabinet.

2. A receptacle and mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising a mounting structure, a disk on said mounting structure for slidably supporting a portion of the receptacle along one edge thereof, a support on said mounting structure for engaging .a second portion of the receptacle diagonally opposite said edge at a point remote from said disk, and means for rendering said disk and said support rotatable relative to the cabinet.

'3. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising an upright shaft, a support on said shaft for slidably supporting the bottom of the receptacle along one edge thereof adjacent said shaft, and a second support mounted on said shaft and extending therefrom for engaging an upper edge of the receptacle diagonally opposite said first-mentioned edge at a point remote from said shaft, and means for rendering said supports rotatable relative to the cabinet.

4. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising an upright shaft, a disk on said shaft for slidably supporting a portion of the receptacle along one edge thereof adjacent said shaft, a support mounted on said shaft and extending therefrom for engaging a second portion of the receptacle diagonally opposite said edge at a point remote from said shaft, and means for rendering said disk and said support rotatable relative to the cabinet.

5. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising an upright shaft, a support on said shaft for slidably supporting a portion of the receptacle along one edge thereof adjacent said shaft, a second support including a plurality of arms extending radially from said shaft for supporting a second portion of the receptacle diagonally opposite said edge at a point remote from said shaft, and means for rendering said supports rotatable relative to the cabinet.

6. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor comprising an upright shaft, means mounted on said shaft for slidably supporting a portion of the receptacle along one edge thereof adjacent said shaft, arms mounted on said shaft and extending radially therefrom, and an annular member secured to the extremities of said arms, said receptacle including means diagonally opposite said edge for engagingsaid member to support said receptacle thereon.

'7. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor comprising an upright shaft, means mounted on said shaft for supporting a portion of the receptacle adjacent said shaft, arms mounted on said shaft and extending radially therefrom, and an annular member secured to the extremities of said arms, said receptacle including a handle 6 shaped to provide a portion arranged for engaging said member to support said receptacle thereon. v

8. A receptacle and mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising a mounting structure, a support on said structure for slidably engaging a portion of the receptacle along one edge thereof, means including a plurality of arms On said mounting structure and extending radiallytherefrom for engaging a second portion of the receptacle diagonally opposite said edge at a point remote from said support, said arms including depending portions for guiding the receptacle into supported position, and means for rendering said support and said first-mentioned means-rotatable relative to the cabinet;

9. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising a mounting structure, a support on said mounting structure for slidably engaging a portion of the receptacle along one edge thereof, a second support on said mounting structure for engaging a second portion of the receptacle at a point diagonally opposite said edge, at least one of the said supports including an inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly relative to said mounting structure whereby at least a portion of the receptacle moves upwardly along said inclined surface to its supported position on said assembly, and means for rendering said supports rotatable relative to the cabinet.

10. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising a mounting structure, a first support on said mounting structure for engaging a portion of the receptacle, a second support on said mounting structure for engaging a second portion of the receptacle, each of said supports including an inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly relative to said mounting structure whereby said receptacle moves upwardly along said inclined surfaces to its supported position on said assembly, and means for rendering said supports rotatable relative to the cabinet.

11. A receptacle and a mounting assembly therefor adapted for positioning in a cabinet comprising an upright shaft, a disk mounted on said shaft for supporting a portion of the receptacle adjacent said shaft, means including a plurality of arms mounted on said shaft and extending radially therefrom for supporting a second portion of the receptacle,,an annular member secured to the extremities of said arms, said receptacle including means for engaging said annular member, the periphery of said disk and of said annular member including inclined surfaces whereby said receptacle moves upwardly along said inclined surfaces into its supported position on said assembly, and means for rendering said disk and said first-named means rotatable relative to the cabinet.

12. A receptacle and an assembly for rotatably mounting the receptacle within a refrigerator cabinet or the like comprising an upright shaft, a rotatable disk on said shaft for supporting a portion of the receptacle adjacent said shaft, rotatable means including a plurality of arms mounted on said shaft and extending radially therefrom, an annular member secured to the extremities of said arms for supporting a second portion of the receptacle, said receptacle being sector-shaped to fit between adjacent arms and being guided inwardly toward its supported position on said assemblyby said arms, a rack positioned'inthe :bottom of said cabinet for holding said receptacle during sliding movement to and from its supported position, the periphery ofzsaid disk and of said annular member being inclined outwardly and downwardlyrelative to said shaft whereby said'receptacle is guided upwardly from said rack duringits final movement to itssupported position on said'assemblm' Number Name A Date 393,705 Hiatt 'NDV. 27, 1885 738,345 Moore Sept. 8 1903 Number V Nurnber 58 Name ,Date, Carlson Nov. 30,1909 Weis 'S'ept.'25,1917 Hermes 1 Nov. 5, 1918 Buchenau. Nov..23, 1920 Alfrey Mar. 16,1926 Bell et a1. -Ju1y 12, 1927 Ofierey et a1. Oct. 16, 1934 Limerick Dec. 24, 1935 Allison Jan. 24, 1939 Brightman Mayfi, 1941 Boddy Aug. 11, 1942 Wilson July 10, 1945 Waterman Apr. 5, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country j Date Great Britain 1914 

